Spiegelman’s Maus and Podwal’s Lamentations with Richard McBee

Art Spiegelman’s Maus: A Survivor’s Tale, marks an important rupture in the lineage of survivor testimony. It presents a narrative of survivor testimony through the lens of an adult child of a survivor in a highly unorthodox medium, an early example of the graphic novel or commix format.

In 1974, Mark Podwal — noted author, illustrator, and physician — created a spare, illustrated Book of Lamentations. This complete English translation is graced with 28 black and white reflections, on the tragic text.

Artist and author Richard McBee will discuss both of these works. 

This program is presented as part of the Museum’s new exhibition Art of Freedom: The Life & Work of Arthur Szyk opening December 7, 2025.